Air pollution

Fracking offers very little risk of air pollution as no pollutants are typically released into the air during this process. Any methane released is captured on-site and used to generate electricity, which is then released to the grid for public use. IGas also monitors air quality around each well site continuously, ensuring we safeguard employees and local communities.

Shale gas and emission levels

The introduction of shale gas into the UK’s energy mix can have a positive effect on our current emission levels. Not only will domestically-produced gas have lower emissions than imported gas, but electricity generated from gas results in half the level of CO2 emissions than that generated by burning coal, which currently accounts for 31 per cent of Britain’s generating capacity.

Shale gas therefore has a role to play in moving us away from coal-fired power generation, complementing nuclear energy and renewables to ensure Britain can meet its environmental targets. Longer term, renewables will become the dominant form of energy in the UK but shale gas provides an ideal 'stepping stone' technology to keep the UK’s lights on whilst the shift towards renewable energy gathers pace.

UKOOG Fact Sheet

For any questions you might have regarding onshore oil and gas in the UK, see the UKOOG factsheet.